[1]
Editor's Note: The Table of Sign Requirements is included at the end of this chapter.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007[1]]
Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance
with the provisions of this Part and all other ordinances and regulations
relating to the erection, alteration or maintenance of signs and similar
devices. A sign shall be any structure or device for visual communication
that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the
attention of the public.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Part 17, Signs,
as amended.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007; as amended by Ord. 946, 3/21/2013]
A sign intended:
To display information regarding any contractor or other service
or business performing work on a lot or premises provided that such
sign is removed immediately after the work is completed; or
To relate information regarding a lot or property for sale,
lease or rent, excluding real estate directional signs.
Same as "individual business freestanding signs."
A sign advertising the development of a premises, tract or
property by a builder, developer or contractor or other party interested
in such sale or development.
A sign indicating the direction or location of premises.
Also included are real estate directional signs, which indicate the
direction or location of a property for sale or lease, including signs
for special real-estate-related events such as tours or open houses
or similar events.
A sign that repetitively indicates the time, temperature,
and date.
A sign whose illumination is not kept constant in intensity
at all times when in use and which exhibits changes in light, color,
direction or animation. Flashing signs shall include signs which blink
on or off, strobe lighting and the like. Electronic message center
signs are not flashing signs.
A sign advertising the sale of personal items at a premises.
A sign advertising the business, occupation, activity or
use conducted within a residential dwelling or unit.
A sign painted on or attached to the cover of a metal, wooden,
or canvas frame of a structural overhang, whether movable, hinged,
rolling, folding, stationary or permanent.
A sign intended to advertise a business, a nonprofit organization,
or any other use. An individual business freestanding sign is on a
self-supporting post or frame not attached to any building, wall or
fence but in a fixed location. This sign does not include advertising
and real estate signs, directional signs, sidewalk signs or other
temporary or portable signs.
A sign to advertise a business or use, that is wall-mounted
and perpendicular to the building surface.
A sign to advertise a business or use, erected upon a roof
of any building or structure or part thereof, including the trim attached
to the roof.
A sign to advertise a special event for a business or use
that is temporary in nature, such as a sale event, grand opening,
going-out-of-business, or other similar event.
A sign to advertise the business or use, painted on or affixed
to and paralleling the outside wall of a building and extending no
more than 12 inches from such wall. Murals are considered as individual
business wall signs.
A sign advertising the business, products on display within
the business and/or the use, which is painted or mounted onto a window
pane or which is hung directly inside the window, for the purpose
of identifying any premises from the street or sidewalk.
A sign erected by and for a federal, state, county or municipal
agency.
A sign promoting an individual for an elected federal, state,
county or local office.
A sign or nameplate identifying a house number and/or name
of the occupant of a residential property.
A sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent
structure, meant to be portable in nature and removed at the end of
the business day, such as menu or sandwich boards, flags, balloons,
or other inflatable objects used for advertising or umbrellas used
for advertising.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007; as amended by Ord. 946, 3/21/2013]
1.Â
No sign shall be erected, enlarged or relocated until a permit has
been issued by the Zoning Officer, unless otherwise stated in this
chapter.
2.Â
No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger
or hazard on a street or sidewalk by obscuring view and in no case,
except for official signs, shall signs be placed within the required
clear-sight triangle.
3.Â
No sign, except official signs and sidewalk signs, shall be allowed
within the street right-of-way. A sidewalk sign shall not be located
in a public accessway.
4.Â
No portion of any individual business freestanding sign shall be
located closer to any lot line than 1/2 the required yard for the
district in which it is located or 10 feet from the property line,
whichever is greater.
5.Â
No person shall paint, paste, brand, stamp, or in any manner whatsoever
permanently attach to any tree, telegraph, electric light or other
pole on any street in the Borough any written, printed, painted or
other advertisement, bill, notice, sign, card or poster.
6.Â
No sign shall be erected containing information on which it states
or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted
under the applicable district provisions of this chapter.
7.Â
No sign, except for yield, regulatory or official municipal signs,
shall use the words "stop," "caution," or "danger," or shall use "stop"
or "yield" signs in shape or color, or shall simulate a traffic or
regulatory sign.
8.Â
In addition to the other requirements of this Part, every sign must
be constructed of durable materials, be kept in good repair, not be
allowed to become dilapidated, and be in compliance with other applicable
State and local codes and ordinances.
9.Â
If the Zoning Officer finds that any sign is unsafe or insecure,
or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected or
is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter,
he shall give written notice to the owner thereof. If the owner fails
to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the standards herein
set forth within 10 days after such notice, such sign may be removed
or altered to comply by the Zoning Officer at the expense of the owner
of the property on which it is located. The Zoning Officer may cause
any sign or other advertising structure which is in immediate peril
to persons or property to be removed summarily and without prior notice,
provided that written notice of such action shall be furnished to
the owner of such sign within five days after the date of such removal.
10.Â
No sign shall be erected or located as to prevent free ingress or
egress from any window, door or fire escape.
11.Â
No signs shall be permitted which are permanently attached to public
utility poles or trees within the right-of-way of any street.
12.Â
(Reserved)
13.Â
All electrically illuminated signs shall be constructed in accordance
with the standards prescribed in the Uniform Construction Code.
14.Â
No vulgar, indecent or obscene advertising matter shall be displayed
in any manner.
15.Â
Signs which emit smoke, steam or other visible particles or odor
are prohibited.
16.Â
No signs shall be placed so as to create a hazard to pedestrian or
vehicular traffic.
17.Â
Towable or portable signs or changeable message boards (whether placed
on the yard or a truck or trailer) shall not be permitted in any residential
districts. In the Central Business District, towable signs are permitted
for community events such as those sponsored by the Borough, Elizabethtown
Area School District, and the Elizabethtown Area Chamber of Commerce.
Display shall not exceed 48 hours per event.
18.Â
Signs permitted within the Borough are limited to those identified
or defined in this chapter. Other signs not so identified or defined
herein have been determined to be contrary to the stated purposes
of this chapter as set forth in § 103.
19.Â
Any sign to be erected on any property or lot is limited to the use
of that property on which it is located, except with regard to directional
signs. Signs advertising uses or businesses not being conducted on
the property or lot on which the sign is erected shall not be permitted.
20.Â
(Reserved)
21.Â
Limitations upon painted wall signs (murals) shall be waived for
proposed signs approved by and participating in the official Elizabethtown
Borough Mural Program administered by the EEDC. In the absence of
participation in this program, all painted wall signs (murals) shall
be subject to dimensional and other requirements for wall signs as
provided for in this chapter.
22.Â
Internally illuminated signs are not permitted in the residential
zones. An internally illuminated sign must comply with the regulations
of its type of sign.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007]
1.Â
The area of a sign shall be construed to include all lettering, wording
and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background,
whether open or enclosed, on which they are displayed.
2.Â
Where the sign consists of individual letters or symbols attached
to a building, wall or window, the area shall be considered to be
that of the smallest rectangle or other regular geometric shape that
encompasses all of the letters and symbols.
3.Â
In computing square-foot area of a double-faced sign, only one side
shall be considered, provided both faces are identical.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007]
1.Â
Any sign lawfully existing at the time of passage of this chapter
which does not conform with the regulations herein shall be considered
nonconforming and may continue in its present use and location until
replacement or rebuilding becomes necessary. At such time, a permit
shall be required, and the sign must conform with all provisions of
this chapter in effect at the time the permit is requested.
[Ord. 882, 2/15/2007]
1.Â
Except for signs exempted herein, no person shall erect, cause to
be erected, change or alter any sign on any property within the Borough
until a permit for the same has been issued by the Zoning Officer.
Property owners who authorize or allow any sign on their property
shall ensure that all provisions of this chapter are adhered to. Application
for a permit shall be made on an authorized Borough form and shall
be accompanied by the following:
A.Â
A detailed scale drawing showing the sign and its intended location.
B.Â
A description of its type, construction, manner and method of installation,
and materials to be used.
C.Â
Written authorization of the owner of the property if other than
the applicant.
D.Â
A permit fee as established by Borough Council.
